BucShotz

By TOM JONES, Times Staff Writer
Published December 24, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT Bucs coverage In-game blog: Stephen F. Holder's insights Audio: Instant analysis with Gary Shelton Too little, too late Offensive line takes one step back Apparent break sidelines Stovall; Galloway tweaks injury Tight ends become key targets Shelton: Too many Bucs got the day off Romano: Gimme 5 5 plays worth another look Quotebook Meet the Giants [Brian Cassella | Times] Most frustrating play: Bucs quarterback Luke McCown just refuses to throw the ball away, doesn't he? Against New Orleans, he almost cost the Bucs a game by taking a safety. Then on Sunday, he coughed up the ball deep in his own territory (above, losing it to Mark Roman) to set up a 49ers touchdown. Throw it away! [Brendan Fitterer | Times] Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia is one of the key G's in the mind of former Buc-turned-analyst Keyshawn Johnson, who believes Tampa Bay could go far in the playoffs.

Worst use of time

Doesn't it seem like every game the Bucs burn a timeout on the first drive for no apparent reason other than to avoid a delay-of-game penalty? Not a big deal this week or next. In two weeks, that starts to become a really big deal.

Worst use of hands

Tight end Alex Smith dropped a perfect pass that would've given the Bucs a first down inside the 49ers 5 on the opening drive. Instead, the Bucs had to settle for three points instead of going for seven. Not a big deal this week or next. In two weeks, that starts to become a really big deal.

Worst use of feet

Michael Clayton needs to do a better job getting both of his feet in bounds on that two-point conversion, doesn't he?

Best comeback

Alex Smith made up for his drop by hauling in a 32-yard reception to set up the Bucs field goal that made it 6-0.

Most ominous start

Didn't you get the feeling that when the Bucs had to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns on the first two drives that it was going to be a long day?

Worst call

How could officials possibly miss seeing that punt returner Micheal Spurlock was down before he fumbled the ball in the second quarter? That was just awful. Sure, the Bucs got the ball back because they challenged the play, but they lost a challenge in the process. Challenges are supposed to help you erase borderline calls, not calls the officials should've easily gotten right in the first place. Problem is, officials are too cautious now on possible fumbles, choosing to let everything play out and then let the replay sort it out. It ends up costing teams challenges they might really need later.

Best punter

I thought the Bucs' Josh Bidwell was the best punter in the NFL ... until I saw the 49ers' Andy Lee.

Worst non-call

What was referee Tony Corrente looking at when Jeff Garcia was clubbed in the head by 49ers lineman Bryant Young in the second quarter? Watch the quarterback. It's about the only responsibility a referee has on a passing play. He should never miss a play like that. Led by Corrente, the officials seemed out of sorts all game. Not that it decided the outcome or anything.

Most questionable decision

If it were me, the first time Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia got bashed in the brains by a 49ers defensive line that had little problem busting through the Bucs offensive line, Luke McCown would've grabbed a helmet and Garcia would've grabbed a clipboard. About a quarter later, Bucs coach Jon Gruden came to the same conclusion.

Best hit

Bucs wide receiver Michael Clayton threw the most jarring hit of the day. Problem was he hit his own man. Clayton should get credit for a forced fumble when he missed on a block and pretty much blew up Bucs tight end Alex Smith, causing Smith to fumble. Fortunately for Clayton, Smith and the Bucs, Smith was ruled down by contact.

Worst commercial

Those "dude" commercials by Budweiser? The ones that show you how you can say the word "dude" in different ways and have it mean different things? Well, if I could say "dude" in such a way that it means, "This commercial is so annoying it makes me want to pour acid into my eyes and stab my eardrums with an ice pick," that's what I would say.

Dumbest statement

Fox color analyst Brian Baldinger made a big deal about how the Bucs are going to use being shut out of the Pro Bowl as motivation in the playoffs. Here's another thing they might use to motivate themselves instead: It's the playoffs!

Worst sign

Did anyone else notice 49ers offensive lineman Larry Brown jokingly giving someone the finger on the sideline? Man, nice luck. Cameras focus in on an offensive lineman about once a millennium and the one time Brown is on camera, he embarrasses himself.

Biggest reason not to care

If you're a Bucs fan, it was kind of tough to figure out what to root for. In other words, did finishing as the third or fourth seed really matter? You play the Giants or the Vikings in the first round at home and is there really a difference? A victory there gets you a trip to either Dallas or Green Bay and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to like about either choice. When you think about it, Sunday's game and next week's finale don't seem to matter all that much. At least not right now.

Nicest gesture

Fox showed nice class by offering condolences to Rick Odioso for the passing of his father last week. Odioso, who lives in the Tampa Bay area, works as a spotter/statistics guy for Fox and he is the former public relations director for the Bucs.

Best shout-out

Keyshawn Johnson might not have left the Bucs under the best circumstances, but he doesn't seem to be holding any grudges. In fact, he had nothing but praise for his old team on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown.

"They are hitting their strides just like we did when we won the Super Bowl when I was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," Johnson said. "If Jeff Garcia (above) stays in the lineup, this offense is very, very dangerous. If they keep those G's healthy - that would be (Joey) Galloway, (Earnest) Graham and Garcia - they might be playing the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game."

Of course, he said this before Sunday's game.

[Last modified December 23, 2007, 23:55:09]